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Demographic Shifts in Summerfield: From White Majority to Moderate Diversity
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
The Summerfield neighborhood in Renton, Washington, has transitioned from a White Majority community with low diversity to one with moderate diversity. As of 2022, the white population comprises 64% of residents, with Asian (19%) and Hispanic (14%) populations forming significant minorities. This demographic shift occurred over the past decade. Summerfield is characterized as an upper-middle-class area, with a median household income of $93,668 in 2022, indicating economic stability and appeal to various demographic groups.
From 2013 to 2022, Summerfield experienced significant changes in its racial composition. Between 2013 and 2017, the neighborhood maintained a White Majority status with low diversity, with the white population consistently representing over 70% of residents. A transition period began from 2018 to 2020, moving towards Moderate Diversity, with the white population decreasing to 68% in 2018 while Asian and Hispanic populations grew. By 2021-2022, the community had shifted to its current state of White Majority with Moderate Diversity, with the white population at 64% and Asian and Hispanic populations at 19% and 14% respectively. This transition may be attributed to increased immigration, changing housing preferences, and economic opportunities attracting a more diverse population.
The demographic shifts in Summerfield correlate with notable economic trends. From 2013 to 2022, the median household income increased from $84,181 to $93,668, an 11.3% increase, suggesting the neighborhood has maintained its economic attractiveness while becoming more diverse. The population grew from 1,379 in 2013 to a peak of 1,874 in 2019, before declining to 1,305 in 2022. This recent decline might be due to housing market changes or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing diversity coincides with a general upward trend in median income, indicating that the neighborhood is attracting affluent residents from various racial backgrounds.
The demographic changes in Summerfield reflect broader trends observed in many suburban areas across the United States. Many suburbs are experiencing increased racial and ethnic diversity, moving away from historically predominant white populations. The significant increase in Asian and Hispanic populations in Summerfield aligns with national trends of growing Asian and Hispanic communities in suburban areas. Despite demographic changes, the neighborhood has maintained and improved its economic status, which is not always the case in areas undergoing rapid demographic shifts. The rising median income in Summerfield, even as it diversifies, reflects a national trend where affluent suburbs continue to attract high-income residents from various racial backgrounds.
Summerfield's evolution from a predominantly white, low-diversity neighborhood to a more diverse, yet still white-majority community with a strong economic profile exemplifies the changing face of American suburbs. This transition highlights the complex interplay between demographic shifts and economic trends, suggesting a future where diversity and economic prosperity can coexist and potentially reinforce each other in suburban settings.
